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LOCK HAVEN -- Lock Haven City Council gave the final stamp of approval for a portion of access roadway in Castanea Township to be used for the Durty Dabbers annual Duel Sports Event on June 3 and 4.
Durty Dabbers President Nils Mantzoros spoke to council about the non-profit organization and its upcoming non-competitive race.
Mantzoros said the annual event serves as a scenic tour of central Pennsylvania.
"It's a national series, which I have been involved in since the beginning over 30 years ago," he said. "We represent the state of Pennsylvania... and are the largest single event in Clinton County."
According to Mantzoros, the event brings in over a thousand people including riders and families for a four day period.
The ride takes riders through the Dabbers 100 acre free-riding park along with various state forests.
"We are sanctioned, and we have permits, from the state in Sproul, Bald Eagle and Tiadaghton Forestry," Mantzoros said.
Mantzoros' request would enable the Durty Dabbers to shift people through Nittany Valley on East End Mountain Road without entering the city of Lock Haven.
"Which would be unsafe. We want to use that right-of-way to go over the mountain that puts them into the other side and on private ground or state forest ground for the remainder of the event," he said.
According to Mantzoros, the trail has been updated after the Durty Dabbers and the Lock Haven City Authority dealt with issues on the previous trail -- particularly on the authority's property.
City Manager Greg Wilson told council last year was the final approval from the authority to use its land.
The authority has already given permission for the Dabbers to use the small portion of roadway, he said.
"They've (Durty Dabbers) provided the insurances and the city authority said they can use it," he said. "Council's approval is basically to accept the viability of insurance. That'll enable the race to go forward."
City Public Works Director Tony Stopper asked Mantzoros if the Durty Dabbers would handle any restoration of the roadway following the race. He noted that, following the races in the past, he's received calls from area residents about damages that may have been done to the roadways.
Mantzoros said the organization would make repairs within 30 days of the event.
"The road we're using is a road that goes around the old water tank and it enters at Castanea and exits city property at the gate right above the water tank," he said.
Stopper also noted the city will have contractors conducting work in the area during the race.
"They might have equipment up there," he said.
"I don't see that as a problem," Mantzoros said, noting the window the organization will use for the trail is Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to about 11 a.m.
Council unanimously approved the organization’s request following discussion.
Councilmember Barbara Masorti was absent from Monday's meeting, held at the city's Waste Water Treatment Plant at 20 S. Hanna St., Lock Haven.